Hobart: Recommendations for Sticky Carpet Pubs and 5 Star Restaurants.

Planning my 40th birthday. I'm taking a gang of girls to Hobart which is my favourite place in the whole world.

I have very firm tastes. I like sticky carpet, divey pubs where people are friendly and you can get into conversations with strangers and talk about any topic on the planet. Alternative-ish. No bogans. Dim lighting. I've yet to find anywhere like that in central Hobart. Where would you recommend?

I also want to find a REALLY nice restaurant. Yes, I like my pubs basic and my restaurants upmarket but I'm allowed to because I'm a Gemini and we are contradictions. I normally go to a place in Salamanca that's Italian-influenced and I think begins with an M. It's very nice but I want something a bit more special-er. There's the big green seafood restaurant on the docks but it looks like the decor might not be very nice. I've been to the revolving restaurant in the casino and the food wasn't that great for the price.

Where would you suggest?

PS I am thinking of writing to Neil Finn and asking him to reform Split Enz AGAIN to play a night at Wrest Point but I am thinking that is a bit of a long shot.

Sounds like you have a fun weekend planned!
Salamanca area= Irish Murphys, Customs House, The Telegraph (they are all within walking distance) there are a few other bars around, but these would be the more 'friendly places' and are catered for all ages, where as some of the others are for the 'youngins'
North Hobart have a few bars and pubs also, The Queens Head is a good place, they also have bands that play most Fri & Sat nights from memory (same as Customs House) people say that The Republic bar is a good place, but I have not been there for quite some time.

Meal wise, you might be better trying somewhere in North Hobart than the Waterfront, I think that most of it is overpriced for what you get. I have heard about a place that charged $35 for a fancy turkey breast meal, only to get it, and it was the processed turkey roll! Annapurna, Vanidols, Dede are nice places for something a bit more than a counter meal type meal.
I hope this helps, if you have any more questions, ask away!

Sorry, I just noticed you said 5 star restaurants.... the places I mentioned are not 5 star, but very nice. You could maybe try the Grand Chancellor, they might have a menu on the net.

Fiona, I haven't been to Hobart in nearly 20 years, and was under drinking age when I was last there (not that that stopped us - :redface:) so have absolutely no advice for you whatsoever, but just wanted to say, fellow Gemini, that we must go drinking and eating together one day. It seems we have very similar taste in pubs.

Happy impending 40th!!

Thanks for all the suggestions girls, keep em coming.

Suse - you're ON. We shall stick to carpets together and talk about maternity leave, house music versus whatever and the difference between infatuation and love (just for starters like!)

Me too ... been many moons ago since i went to Tassie ... such a pretty place :D

On my 40th i was 25wks pregnant with my 1st & only child ... booked out a function room upstairs to an Italian restaurant on Lygons St, Melb and basically watched everyone at my party get drunk whilst i couldn't even sniff a bottle of wine, LOL ;) ... so Fiona hope you have your good share of drinks coming on your 40th :dance: